"The Iron Queen" by Julie Kagawa (Iron Fey #3)

Title: The Iron Queen
By: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey
Publication: January 25, 2011 by Harlequin Teen
Format/ Pages: Paperback/ 358
Genre: Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance
Themes: Fae
Cover Rating: 3/5

From Goodreads: My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

My Thoughts: Exiled from the Nevernever, Meghan thought she would finally be able to go home again, and with the Unseelie Prince of her dreams too. Unfortunately, things are never that simple for Meghan anymore. In Iron Queen, Meghan begins her third adventure, but this time everything is different- including Meghan.

I felt like this book covered so much, and took me on a brand new adventure. I was afraid I would get bored with this series (I mean, there's only so many times that a girl can go into the Nevernever to fight off some bad fairies), but I found out quickly that I had nothing to be worried about! Meghan transforms in this third installment into someone completely different than who we were introduced to in the first book- as well she should. The half-breed princess has been through hell, and she's got more to go through before it's over. There was just no way she could still be the backwoods, shy, farmer's daughter anymore. She had to get strong and fast. We finally see her pick up her role as a warrior and take some initiative into who she is on her way to becoming. And it's not only Meghan changing, but Ash and Puck as well. Ash took a huge leap when he admitted his love for Meghan in the last book, the wall he put up for the Unseelie Court starts to crumble quickly as he leans more and more on Meghan and their relationship. We get to see who he really is and how much he truly cares for the Summer King's daughter. And while legendary Puck is still the same in his jesting, we get to see a snarky side of him that we never had before. The character development is just really superb in this series! 

The plot was so well thought out- it was perfect by the end. Everything lead up to where the series had been going so far, as Julie K weaved each of the missing pieces together by the last epic scene (and it was epic!).  What I really love about this series though, is the realistic tone of it. Of course, fairies aren't real (or are they? haha), but the way Julie describes each piece of the Nevernever makes it feel like it could be. There's no silly fru-fru in here. It's all battles and adventures and everything you would want out of a non-Disney fairy tale. It's the real deal.

An excellent, engaging series! I can't wait to get my hands on the next novella and the last book! 

Teaser Pleaser:

"When I said I'd follow you to hell and back, I wasn't trying to be literal, princess."

My Rating: